Farm Science Review begins Tuesday

On Tuesday, thousands of people will descend on Madison County for the start of the 55th annual Farm Science Review. The three-day event, held at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center, highlights trade and education in Ohio agriculture. It also is a big business and economic opportunity for the city of London.

With the event happening just outside of town, visitors will have the opportunity to venture into the community and experience much of the local stores and restaurants.

“We work to promote pushing people toward our local establishments,” said David Kell, Executive Director of Madison County Economic Development. “Last year, we talked with as many Madison County businesses as possible about going out to Farm Science and advertising their store there.”

The review usually brings nearly 120,000 people to the county from all around the world, which Kell emphasizes is one of the best opportunities to connect people with this community.

“Although there hasn’t been a big impact study done on Farm Science specifically, we’re looking at ways to do that in the future,” he said. “With that large number of people coming into Madison County, there’s no doubt there are beneficial effects.”

John Duhl, the manager of the Madison County Airport (located just across US Route 40 from the Review) said, for them, the event is probably the single largest boost to business for the year.

“We see a huge uptick in business here at the airport for all three of the days,” Duhl said. “There are probably 50-75 airplanes a day.”

Duhl said most of the clientele are attendees to the review, likely coming from out of state. The airport generally sees single-engine planes coming through but occasionally there is a corporate jet.

“Sometimes you’ll see some executives being flown in to look at the equipment or something,” he said. “But it’s mostly attendees and, early on, a couple of the exhibitors.” The airport is busiest in the morning and afternoon when the bulk of the review’s main events take place.

Farm Science Review also provides a shuttle to and from the airport as well as to all the locations outside the Ag center. There will be a number of events outside of the grounds including a number of field locations and events at the Gwynne Conservation Area located on Arbuckle Road.

The event runs Tuesday through Thursday at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center located at 135 State Route 38, just outside of London. Tickets are $10 at the gate.